Shockwave therapy

Shockwave

Shockwave is the newest method for the treatment of tendon tissue, for instance so called tennis- and golf elbow, achilles' tendon etc.
The shockwaves create an acoustic blast wave through pneumatic energy. This blast wave spreads through an applicator and a special gel to the area that is to be treated. The blast wave creates an urgent “irritation” in the tissue, which increases the metabolism in the area and creates the right conditions for a more effective healing.

Advantages for the patient: This method is appropriate for a number of common diagnoses that are difficult to treat. The results are very satisfactory, and the treatment has proved to reduce the pain in the affected areas and to increase the mobility of the joints, which improves the patient’s life quality.

In northern Sweden shockwave therapy is offered in Skellefteå, Umeå, Åre and Sundsvall.

Shockwave therapy was originally developed for the treatment of kidney stones, but has later proved to be efficient also against joint pain.

An applicator is used to generate shock waves through compressed air at the centre of the pain. The body’s healing system is then activated again with a reorganization of the nerves, activation of the natural morphine in the body, etc.

Chronic tennis elbow and shoulder pains are some of the diagnoses where shockwave therapy has shown very good results according to science.

Shockwave therapy is often the last alternative for patients who have already tried everything else without success. According to science 95% feel better or very good after only three therapy sessions.

Symptoms where the results of shockwave therapy have been very satisfactory:

  • Shoulder pain
  • Tennis elbow
  • Golf elbow
  • Jumper’s knee
  • Achilles tendon inflammation
  • Periostitis Plantarfaschit
  • Runner’s knee
  • Trokanterit (hip pain)
  • Groin pain
What is shockwave treatment?
Shockwave therapy is an efficient, thoroughly tested and fast method of treatment, which effectiveness has been proved scientifically.

History
Since 1988 many top sport clubs and national teams in Europe and the United States have been applying shock wave therapy. Shock wave therapy was developed in the beginning of the nineties to treat urinary stones, and is also used as a treatment for kidney stones today. In 1997 the development of a considerably smaller and more practical machine was completed, which was to be used in orthopedics. This method is called radial shockwave therapy. The German Olympic Team was the first to use this method of treatment.

How does it work?
An applicator is used to generate shock waves that are created by pneumatic pressure that is transported into the area of pain. The body reacts by increasing the metabolic activity in this area. There are many theories about this. One of them is that the treatment causes an inflammatory process, which makes the body react with an increased metabolic activity in the area of pain. This stimulates the healing process. Another theory is that the shockwaves reduce scar tissue and possible calcium in the muscular attachments.

Treatment
During your visit you are examined in order to determine a diagnosis. This is to make sure that shockwave therapy is the accurate treatment for the patient. The treatment lasts approximately five minutes, and the patient is treated three times in five to seven day intervals. After that we evaluate the result of the treatment. In most cases the treatment hurts for a few minutes, but as soon as it is finished the pain goes away. During the following hours you might feel pain from the treatment, but after 24 hours most patients no longer feel pain. The shockwaves activate the body’s natural healing system; therefore it is not recommendable to take anti-inflammatory medication after the treatment.

Research
If you are interested in reading more about the research in this field, follow the links to these medical reports (PDF)
Radial_shockwave_therapy_in_heel_spur »
Achillodynia_and_patellar_tendinopathy »
Radial_shock_wave_therapy_in_calcifying_tendinitis_of_the_rotator_cuff »



For more information on research on shockwave therapy:
www.ems-medical.com